Mounting bracket for periodically dispensing aerosol bombs

ABSTRACT

A mounting bracket for periodically dispensing aerosol bombs of the type having a cylindrical body portion and a neck dispensing portion with a collar and dispensing valve. The mounting bracket includes a feature for support of a clock timing mechanism and an operating slide vertically reciprocated upon two rods and including a spring tension plunger. The operating slide contacts the aerosol-dispensing valve and is activated by a cam rotated by the clock timing mechanism. The vertical reciprocation of the slide upon two rods enables a more accurate, more easily adjustable and more reliable discharge of the aerosol bomb at preselected time intervals.

atent Unite tates Nixon, J r. et ai.

6/l965 Hunt 2,810,798 10/1957 Taylor.......

Simonsson Hunt.............

0 G 6 6 9 l 2 l 6 8 9 8 3 [54] MOUNTING BRACKET FOR 3,187,948

PERIODICALLY DISPENSING 2 861 138 H1958 I l AERUSOL BOMBS 3,388,834 6/1968 [72] Inventors: Dalhro R. Nixon, Jr., Chesapeake; David J. Mcllhenny, Suffolk; Marvin L. Harrell, Portsmouth, all of Va.

[73] Assignee: Virginia Chemicals lnc., Portsmouth, Va.

[22] Filed:

Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Thomas E. Kocovsky Attorney--David H. Semmes Sept. 10, 1970 [21 1 Appl. No.: 71,055 I ABSTRACT A mounting bracket for periodically dispensing aerosol bombs of the type having a cylindrical body portion and a neck dispensing portion with a collar and dispensing valve. The mounting bracket includes a feature for support of a clock timing mechanism and an operating slide vertically reciprocated upon two rods and including a spring tension plunger. The operating slide contacts the aerosol-dispensing valve and is activated by a cam rotated by the clock timing mechanism. The vertical reciprocation of the slide upon two rods enables a more accurate, more easily adjustable and more reliable discharge of the aerosol bomb at preselected time intervals.

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PATENTEDMAR 7 I972 SHEET 1 UF 6 INVENTOIS DALBRO R. NIXONNJ'K DAVID J. McILHE NY MARVIN L. HARRELL ATTOINI-IY PATENTEUMAR 7 I972 3.647. 116

sum 2 OF 6 INV ENTOIS DALBRO R. NIXON :TR.

DAVID J. MCILHENKIY kg MARVIN L. HARRELL ATTORNEY PATENTEUMAR H912 SHEEI 3 0F 6 INVEN'IDIS DALBRO R. NIXON J'R.

DAVID ,1. MclLHEN NY MARVIN L. HARRELL ATTOIN BY PAIENTEDMAR 1 me I 3.647.116 SHEET 1- UF 6 lNVlN'I-OIS DALBRO R. NIXONjJ'R. DAVID J. MclLHENNY MARVIN 1.. HARRELL ATTOINEY PAIENTEDMAR 7 I972 3.641116 sum 5 BF 6 DALBRO R. NIXONjJ'Q. DAVID J. MCILHENNY MARVIN L. HARRELL Jazz ATTORNEY sums ur 6 PAIENTEDMAR 7 m2 INVENTORS DALBRO R. NIXON JR. DAVID J. MclLH NNY MARVIN HARRELL ATTORNEY MOUNTING BRACKET FOR PERIODICALLY DISPENSING AEROSOL BOMBS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention A great deal of recent attention is being given to devices for automatically dispensing aerosol bombs at preselected time intervals. For example, in restaurants, warehouses, dairies and the like, aerosols may be mounted upon the wall and dispensed automatically to maintain an insect-free or odorfree environment. Earlier inventors have developed both alternating current and battery-operated DC current devices which are activated by clock timing mechanisms to discharge periodically the aerosol.

A principal shortcoming of prior art devices has been their relative complexity which has resulted in jamming and irregular or total discharge of the entire bomb contents. The AC devices have been expensive to manufacture. The DC or battery-operated units have also been expensive to manufacture and maintain; since they place a high degree of drain upon the DC batteries and, thereby, shorten the length of operation of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention an improved dispensing assembly provides for a more secure retention of the aerosol bomb and a more accurate contacting of its neck dispenser to discharge the bomb contents, according to signals received from a clock timing mechanism. Principal improvements include an adjustment varying the length of the discharge, varying the time of discharge so that it may be effected at any time within a 24-hour period and enabling a positive cutoff mechanism, as the drive motor completes its appointed cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the dispenser, showing an aerosol bomb with its neck dispensing portion positively engaged for preselected time dispensing;

FIG. 2 is a similar view showing an electric motor timing mechanism of the type having a clock timing disc with laterally extending time interval lugs;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective of the drive motor eccentric cam and switching mechanism;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective of a modified cam and switching mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the type used for charging both the clock timing and drive motor mechanism and including a single-pole, double-throw switch;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a modified circuit, employing both a single-pole, double-throw switch and a double-pole, double-throw switch;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective showing the locking of the aerosol bomb collar within the bracket by means of a spring clip;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective of a modified bracket, having bent hangars extending downwardly and inwardly of the aperture to engage the aerosol bomb collar;

FIG. 9 is a top plan thereof;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation;

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of a-modified clock timing mechanism, including laterally extending clock timing lugs;

FIG. 12 is a rear elevation of the back of the proposed bracket;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation; and

FIG. 15 is a side elevation of the housing having a dispensing aperture aligned with the aerosol-dispensing valve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an improved batteryoperated dispensing device so constructed as to be suitable for dispensing fluid from aerosol containers of various sizes at preset time intervals, also controlling lengths of spray time that will deliver a specified amount of spray for different size areas. This unit may be controlled by a clock timing drive system.

This assembly consists of a baseplate l which is formed from one piece of metal by stamping out and bending up switch support 2, motor support 3 and bending down timing drive system support 21. Motor 13 is attached with suitable screws to support 3, complete with shaft 14, cam 15, lugs 16 and 17, and hub 18 which is secured to shaft 14 with an Allen setscrew. Operating slide 4 complete with threaded bolt 8, adjusting cap 9, spacer l2, and spring 11 is held in place, then guide rods 5 and 6 are inserted through bottom of baseplate 1, bottom end of rods are bent and top is secured in place with push locknuts 7. Switch 19 is secured to support plate 2 with screws 20.

This assembly is then snapped into a backplate 34 (illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13) and is locked in position with slots 25.

Backplate is secured to a wall and entire assembly is covered with a formed plastic cover 35 containing an opening for the dispensing of an aerosol fluid.

OPERATION Aerosol-dispensing can 23 is held in place by spring 28 which is secured with bolt 29. The ends of spring 28 are pushed together and aerosol can 23 is inserted from below baseplate 1 until collar 27 on can 23 is exposed above baseplate 1. Spring 28 is released, gripping can around collar 27 and holds it firmly in place.

Set frequency of spray time and contact on time disc 24 of the clock timing drive system. Then current will flow through motor 13 driving eccentric shafted cam 15. Rotating in a counterclockwise direction, cam 15 makes contact with and depresses operating slide 4 until the enlarged head 10 engages and depresses the aerosol release valve 22. By turning adjusting cap 9, bolt 8 is raised or lowered, thereby controlling the length of spray time. As cam 15 continues to rotate, lobe 16 contacts the actuating arm of the S.P.D.T. switch 19 and cuts off current to motor 13. After a short interval the time disc 24 will rotate, allowing current to flow through switch I9 and allowing motor 13 to rotate cam 15 until actuating arm of switch 19 is released and current is again cut off to motor 13. After the preselected spray time interval has passed, contact on time disc 24 is again made and current flows to motor 13 driving cam 15 until lobe 17 strikes the actuating arm of switch 19 and the same cycle as above is repeated. This action will double the time interval selected; i.e., if a l2-hour spray interval is selected, it will be doubled to 24 hours. Switch 19 is secured in slotted holes that permit a limited manual movement so that lobe 17 will not actuate switch 19 as cam 15 rotates, thus cutting the spray interval time in half.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of cam 15, lobes 16 and 17, hub 18, shaft 14 and switch 151. This arrangement enables the spray unit to obtain one spray every 24 hours using a 12-hour clock.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate method in obtaining one spray cycle in 24 hours using a l2-hour clock.

Motor shaft 101 drives cams 102 and 103 which are secured to a common hub 104 which in turn is secured to motor shaft 101. The clock timing drive system is set for a 12-hour spray interval and cam 102 will strike cam 105 which is attached to lever arm 106 and depresses arm 106 so that bolt 8 attached will strike valve 22 on the aerosol can and release spray. Cam 102 will then strike and trip the arm on the SPDT switch 107 which stops the flow of current to the motor. After a short interval the time disc will rotate and allow current to flow through switch 107 and release trip arm. When trip arm on switch 107 is released, current again stops and unit is in position for the next l2-hour cycle, at which time current flows to motor causing cam 103, which is positioned on shaft 101 so as to miss cam 105, will rotate until it strikes and depresses the trip arm on switch 107 and causes motor to stop, thus starting the same cycle as started when cam 102 struck switch 107. After an interval of 12 hours current will again flow allowing motor to drive cam 102 through cam 105, depressing lever 106 causing spray valve to release spray after a 24hour interval.

FIG. 5 shows wiring diagram that is used for FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 shows a DC circuit that can be used with single cam modification as 102 or cam with single lobe 16. With the single cam or lobe one SPDT switch and one DPDT switch is used to double the selected spray time interval. If double spray interval is not desired, either switch can be secured in slotted holes to permit a limited manual movement so that cam does not actuate switch.

FIGS. 8-10 show an alternate method of holding can 23 in place. With a hole 26 in baseplate l centered directly below enlarged head 10. Bent hangars 30 are stamped from baseplate 1, bent down and positioned so as to engage collar 27, on aerosol can on three sides. Can 23 is inserted from the underside of baseplate 1, so as to align collar 27 with the three hangars 30. Hangars 30 hold can 23 firmly in place with aerosol valve 22 exposed above hole 26 and in line with enlarged head 10.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an improved llO-volt AC electric operated dispensing device so constructed as to be suitable for dispensing fluid from aerosol containers of various sizes at preset time intervals, and also controlling lengths of spray time that will deliver a specified amount of spray for different size areas.

The unit is controlled by a synchronous motor and speed reducer system.

The assembly is essentially the same as that described for FIG. 1. The aerosol can is held in position in exactly the same manner as described for FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 shows wiring diagram that is used for FIG. 2.

OPERATION Time disc 302 has a number of holes near the outer edge. The holes are drilled and tapped to receive lug 303. The proper time interval can be selected by choosing a motor and speed reducer 301 of desired output r.p.h. and inserting the proper number of lugs 303 into the time disc 302. For example, if the motor and speed reducer 301 had an output of onetwelfth r.p.h. and it is desired to spray every 2 hours, then insert l2 equally spaced lugs 303 into the time disc 302. Turn on off-on switch 311 which will energize motor and speed reducer 301. Time disc 302 is attached to output shaft of motor and speed reducer 301 and will rotate in the same direction as the output shaft of the motor and speed reducer 301. As time disc 302 rotates, lug 303 will come into contact with and depress switch lever 307. This completes the circuit through switch 30 and SPDT switch 309 to the l IO-volt AC motor 308, causing cam 15 to turn. Cam 15 makes contact with and depresses the release valve 22 (by turning adjusting cap 9, bolt 8 is raised or lowered, thereby controlling length of spray time). As cam 15 continues to rotate, lobe 16 contacts actuating arm 310 of switch 308, which will open the circuit and cause motor 308 to stop. After a short interval of time, lug 303 will pass over and release switch lever 307, allowing switch 304 to assume its normal position, thereby making a circuit from switch 304 through switch 309 to motor 308. This energizes motor 308, causes cam 15 to turn, and allows lobe 16 to pass over switch lever 310 and switch 309 then returns to its normal position which again breaks the circuit. As time progresses, the next lug 303 will come into contact with switch lever 307, and the cycle will continue until lobe 17 clears switch lever 310. The action with lobe 17 doubles the time interval between lugs 303 on time disc 302', i.e., for a onetwelfth r.p.h. motor and speed reducer 301 and with 12 lugs 303 inserted in time disc 303 the device will cause the aerosol can to spray once every 2 hours. Switch 309 IS secured in slotted holes that permit a limited manual movement, so that if the switch 309 is moved away from cam 15 to limit allowed by the slotted holes, lobe 17 will not actuate switch 309 as cam 15 rotates, and will thus cut the spray interval time in half, i.e., a spray will occur every time a lug 303 actuates switch 304.

We claim:

1. An aerosol dispenser adapted for supporting an aerosol bomb of the type having a cylindrical body and a neck dispensing portion with a collar and a dispensing valve comprising:

A. a bracket defining:

i. an aerosol bomb neck-engaging aperture, and

ii. a drive motor support,

B. a lock supported upon said bracket, so as to engage the collar of said aerosol bomb when thrust through said aperture;

C. an operating slide reciprocated in said bracket above the neck of said bomb, said slide being vertically reciprocated upon a pair of rods supported in said bracket and includmg:

i. a dispensing shaft extending vertically through said slide;

ii. a head secured to the bottom of said shaft and engageable with said dispensing valve in the neck dispensing portion of said bomb;

iii. an intermediate compression spring supported upon said shaft intermediate said head and said operating slide, and;

iv. a threaded bolt mounted at the top of said shaft, so as to adjust the degree of compressing said spring;

D. a drive motor supported upon said drive motor support and including:

i. a drive shaft;

ii. an eccentric cam mounted upon said shaft, so as to engage and reciprocate said operating slide with respect to said neck dispensing portion of said bomb; and

E. a clock timing mechanism having a switch engageable with said eccentric cam so as to activate and deactivate said motor according to preselected time increments.

2. An aerosol dispenser as in claim 1, said lock having a plurality of hangars extending vertically downward and inwardly of said aperture, so as to engage exteriorally the collar of an aerosol bomb supported therein.

3. An aerosol dispenser as in claim 1, said lock including a resilient spring clip secured to the top of said bracket and snapped into position around the collar of an aerosol bomb, as it protrudes through said aperture.

4. An aerosol dispenser as in claim 3, said bracket being mounted in a housing having a dispensing aperture aligned with the neck dispensing portion of said aerosol bomb. 

1. An aerosol dispenser adapted for supporting an aerosol bomb of the type having a cylindrical body and a neck dispensing portion with a collar and a dispensing valve comprising: A. a bracket defining: i. an aerosol bomb neck-engaging aperture, and ii. a drive motor support, B. a lock supported upon said bracket, so as to engage the collar of said aerosol bomb when thrust through said aperture; C. an operating slide reciprocated in said bracket above the neck of said bomb, said slide being vertically reciprocated upon a pair of rods supported in said bracket and including: i. a dispensing shaft extending vertically through said slide; ii. a head secured to the bottom of said shaft and engageable with said dispensing valve in the neck dispensing portion of said bomb; iii. an intermediate compression spring supported upon said shaft intermediate said head and said operating slide, and; iv. a threaded bolt mounted at the top of said shaft, so as to adjust the degree of compressing said spring; D. a drive motor supported upon said drive motor support and including: i. a drive shaft; ii. an eccentric cam mounted upon said shaft, so as to engage and reciprocate said operating slide with respect to said neck dispensing portion of said bomb; and E. a clock timing mechanism having a switch engageable with said eccentric cam so as to activate and deactivate said motor according to preselected time increments.
 2. An aerosol dispenser as in claim 1, said lock having a plurality of hangars extending vertically downward and inwardly of said aperture, so as to engage exteriorally the collar of an aerosol bomb supported therein.
 3. An aerosol dispenser as in claim 1, said lock including a resilient spring clip secured to the top of said bracket and snapped into position around the collar of an aerosol bomb, as it protrudes through said aperture.
 4. An aerosol dispenser as in claim 3, said bracket being mounted in a housing having a dispensing aperture aligned with the neck dispensing portion of said aerosol bomb. 